Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

No need to spend too much time in the kitchen for a tasty meal. With this air fryer chicken tenders recipe, you can have crispy and juicy tenders in just 17 minutes. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a family dinner or a simple snack. The air fryer makes them extra crispy without all the oil.

Serve them with some classic sides like fries and a salad or with a selection of your favorite dips. Either way, this is one recipe that you will want to come back to again and again.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This air fryer chicken tenders recipe is a go-to choice for its simplicity, speed, and versatility. With minimal prep and cooking time, these tenders are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals. The recipe's customizable nature allows for endless variations, from adjusting seasoning to experimenting with different coatings or cheeses. Additionally, these chicken tenders are incredibly versatile, pairing effortlessly with a wide range of side dishes such as crispy air-fried vegetables, fluffy mashed potatoes, or a fresh garden salad.

Whether served as a standalone snack, a family-friendly dinner, or part of a party spread, these homemade air fryer chicken tenders are sure to satisfy cravings and impress guests with their crispy texture and flavorful profile.

Ingredients

Chicken:

The star of this air fryer chicken tenders recipe is strips of chicken breast. When selecting chicken breast, opt for fresh, boneless, and skinless pieces. To prepare, slice the chicken breasts into even strips, ensuring uniform thickness for consistent cooking.

For alternatives, you can use chicken tenderloins, which are naturally tender and require minimal slicing. If you're looking for a different protein, turkey breast strips are a great substitute, offering a similar texture and flavor profile. For a vegetarian option, you can use firm tofu slices or seitan strips, both of which can be seasoned and breaded similarly to chicken for a delicious meat-free variation.

Seasonings:

These crispy air-fried chicken tenders are seasoned to perfection using salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. However, you can experiment with your favorite herbs and spices. Paprika or cayenne pepper can be added to create some heat, or you can incorporate some finely chopped herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano for more aromatic flavors.

Eggs:

The egg wash helps to create a sticky barrier on which the panko mixture can stick, resulting in a crispier coating when cooked. However, if you are looking for an alternative to eggs, there are several options. Soaking the strips in buttermilk or a mix of milk and flour can provide a similarly sticky surface. Additionally, thinning out some Greek yogurt with water can produce a similar effect. For a dairy-free option, aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) or flaxseed meal mixed with water can provide suitable alternatives.

Panko:

Panko is a type of Japanese breadcrumb known for its light, airy, and crispy texture, making it ideal for creating a crunchy coating on foods like homemade air fryer chicken tenders. Unlike traditional breadcrumbs, panko is made from crustless white bread, resulting in larger, coarser flakes that fry up beautifully. If you don't want to make your air fryer chicken tenders with panko, regular breadcrumbs will work just fine.

If you don't have either, you can always make your own by crushing up some cornflakes, crackers, chips, nuts, or pretzels. Additionally if you have any stale bread, you can cut it into small cubes and bake them at 300 for 10 to 15 minutes. Once the bread is dry and golden, let them cool, then toss them into a food processor and pulse them until they have reached the right consistency. If you want to make air fryer chicken tenders without breading altogether, that is fine too. Simply toss your marinated chicken strips into the air fryer basket to cook without the egg wash or breading.

Breadcrumbs:

Breadcrumbs play a key role in giving chicken tenders a golden, crispy coating. They add texture and flavor, making each bite extra crunchy. If you prefer, you can skip traditional breadcrumbs and just use panko for a lighter, airier result. For alternatives, crushed cornflakes or even ground nuts can be used to add a different texture and taste to your tenders.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Step One: 

Toss the strips of chicken in a seasoning mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set aside.

Step Two: 

Scramble the eggs in a bowl and dredge the chicken in the egg wash.

Step Three: 

Then, add the chicken to a bowl of breadcrumbs and panko. Toss to coat.

Step Four:

Spray the air fryer basket with a thin coat of non-stick spray.

Step Five: 

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400F.

Step Six: 

Place the chicken strips in an even layer across the basket and cook at 400F for 6 minutes on each side.

(Cook for 6 minutes, flip the chicken tenders and then cook for another 6 minutes)

Step Seven: 

Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, and enjoy!

Tips

• For extra flavor, marinate the seasoned chicken strips in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before dredging them in egg and panko mixture. This will not only increase the flavor but also give you a tender and moist end product.
• Let the chicken tenders rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute, making the chicken more tender and flavorful.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders pair perfectly with a variety of sides and dipping sauces. For a well-rounded meal, serve them with crispy vegetables like carrot or sweet potato fries. A fresh garden salad or coleslaw adds a refreshing touch. For dipping, offer classic choices such as ranch, hot honey, or BBQ sauce. Additionally, mac and cheese, potato wedges, or garlic bread can provide a comforting, hearty complement.

For more ideas, feel free to check What To Serve With Chicken Tenders.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165F.

Can I use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make gluten-free chicken tenders?

Yes, you can make gluten-free chicken tenders by substituting the panko for your favorite brand of gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Can I make it in the oven?

Yes, just make sure you don’t overcook the chicken.

Can I make it in the Instant Pot?

Yes, for step-by-step instructions, check out this Instant Pot Chicken Tenders recipe.

For how long can leftover air fryer chicken tenders be kept fresh?

Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Tenders stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. To freeze, place tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.

More Chicken Recipes

If you are looking for more chicken recipes like these easy air fryer chicken tenders, then you are in luck. Today we've compiled a collection of some of our favorite chicken recipes for you to try.

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Chicken Tamales

Chicken Kebab

Tuscan Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Wings